Latest news with #tropical
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
11 hours ago
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Zanzibar's White Sand Villas & Spa Resort: Where Total Relaxation Awaits
Nestled on the shores of the Indian Ocean lies a serene oasis known as White Sand Villas & Spa, a luxury resort unlike any other. At first glance, it may appear to be just another lavish destination, but look deeper, and you'll discover an experience that redefines the very meaning of luxury… Your journey begins with a distinctive touch: a private driver greets you with a warm smile, a representative handles check-in seamlessly, and cold lemon-scented towels instantly melt away your travel fatigue, preparing you to totally decompress in the days ahead. The drive to the resort takes about an hour through poetic scenery: swaying palm trees brushing the skies, children laughing as they pedal home from school, while the only music you'll hear is the rustling of the leaves… and the island's magic phrase: 'Pole Pole… Slowly Slowly.' The resort features 18 villas scattered across lush tropical gardens, embraced by palm trees that shield it from the outside world. The beachfront villas offer direct sea views, private pools, and enclosed gardens that promise absolute privacy. Garden villas give you the option of a private pool or jacuzzi, tailored to your preference. For families, larger villas with warm, home-like touches and spacious common areas create chic spaces to unwind. It's the smallest details that elevate the stay, like a curated pillow menu, and a personal butler who knows what you need before you ask. Here, hospitality is not a service, but a philosophy. At the heart of the resort lies a place where time truly stops: Senses Spa. Guests from neighbouring resorts have crowned it the best spa in Zanzibar—and it's easy to see why. Your spa journey begins with a massage of your choice: warm oil relaxation, hot stone therapy, or deep tissue massage. Signature rituals like' Luminous Indulgence' include a body scrub, facial treatment, jacuzzi session, a sparkling drink, and fresh fruit—leaving you renewed from the inside out. Perhaps most special is the 'Mwani' natural range, where hand-harvested seaweed is used in treatments that nourish the skin and refresh the body. For those seeking spiritual healing, Reiki and energy-balancing sessions reconnect you with your inner self. Just beside the spa lies a peaceful beauty salon where every treatment is performed to perfection—from custom hair treatments to manicures, pedicures, and waxing—all offered within a serene, ultra-luxe space. Every Tuesday and Friday, at sunrise or just before sunset, open-air yoga classes are held on a sea-facing terrace. As you flow through each movement and listen to the instructor's voice, it feels like layers of stress peel away – consider it a pause for the soul. Near the reception, a cosy and colourful game room awaits—filled with games, movies, and board games to delight both children and grown-ups alike. For all guests, a wide array of complimentary daily activities is available—from Swahili cooking classes to starlit movie nights. There's never a dull moment. You can always enjoy games like table tennis, darts, chess, billiards, and volleyball. The resort also offers a surprising boost of energy for fitness enthusiasts. There's a fully equipped open-air gym, while the tennis court is lit until 10 p.m., and electric beach bikes let you explore the surroundings with ease and freedom. But the real magic unfolds on the water. Set sail on a traditional ngalawa boat—comfortably kitted out with cushions, drinks, and Bluetooth speakers. Or take a more adventurous route with glass kayaks, paddleboards, and catamarans. Dining at White Sand is not only a feast for the senses—it's a celebration of Zanzibar's culinary spirit. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., offering organic, fresh ingredients straight from farm to plate. Lunch runs from noon to 3 p.m., but dinner is the main event. From 7 to 10 p.m., beneath a starry sky and atop an open terrace, guests savour dishes that blend local and international flavours: fresh tuna, grilled octopus, the famous Kachumbari salad, and steak with black olive sauce. Don't miss the sunset hours between 6 and 8 p.m., when complimentary cocktails are served as the sky paints itself in shades of gold and orange. Finally, the resort recommends a trip to Stone Town, Zanzibar's old soul of stories, spices, and shadows. Accompanied by a local guide, you'll wander narrow alleys past historic homes, visit the Freddie Mercury Museum, and stop by spice markets for Zanzibari coffee and handmade souvenirs. Whether you're seeking a soul-deep retreat, a lavish celebration, or an unforgettable family escape—White Sand Villas & Spa is Zanzibar's ultimate retreat. Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
The 'Caribbean of Wales' beach has been named UK's most-loved
Though the UK doesn't have the same tropical temperatures as the Caribbean, some of its beaches are just as dreamy. Stunning seaside spots can be found across England, Scotland, Northern Island and Wales. Holiday rental portal, Holidu, analysed thousands of coastal destinations in the country and identified the top 25, based on user review data on Google Maps. The most-loved beach, Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is often described as having 'views reminiscent of the Caribbean'. With a beautiful green backdrop, the remote beach has turquoise waters and a golden sandy shore that mirrors what one might find on a tropical island. It has an impressive 4.9 average rating on Google Maps from 1668 reviews and outshines all the other sandy shores analysed. Another Welsh beach closely follows in second place - Mwnt in Ceredigion. The sheltered bay scored 4.9 with 722 Google Map verdicts. Woolacombe Beach in Devon comes third, and is known for being popular destination for families and surfers to enjoy the golden sands and consistent waves. From its 32,006 reviews the holiday hotspot scored 4.8. While Dunraven Bay, in Glamorgan, Wales, was also rated 4.8 and placed fourth. The sandy Welsh beach is a great spot for rock pooling and fossil hunting. In fifth is Trebarwith Strand Beach, with a rating of WHAT, and is a popular spot for surfers. It even has a stream of fresh water and is dog friendly. Cuckmere Haven places sixth and is a peaceful, pebbled beach in East Sussex. With an impressive rating of 4.8 and 1581 reviews, Cuckmere is well worth a visit and is overlooked by the white chalky cliffs of the Seven Sisters. The secluded Man O'War Beach in Dorset ranks seventh with a rating of 4.8 and is on the east side of the iconic Durdle Door. While Dunraven Bay, in Glamorgan, Wales, was also rated 4.8 and placed fourth. The sandy Welsh beach is a great spot for rock pooling and fossil hunting Another Devon-based location, Bigbury Beach comes eighth and has unique access to Burgh Island. Visitors can visit the island by walking along a causeway at low tide or taking a sea tractor at high tide. Gullane Beach in East Lothian, Scotland places ninth and offers a stunning, sandy shore. Bringing Northern Island into the mix, Benone Beach ranks tenth and is located in County Londonderry. Top 25 rated beaches in the UK Barafundle Bay Beach Traeth Mwnt Woolacombe Beach Dunraven Bay Trebarwith Beach Cuckmere Haven Man O'War Beach Bigbury Beach Gullane Beach Benone Beach Newburgh Seal Beach Freshwater West Horsey Beach Mudeford Sandbank Yellowcraig Beach Traeth Llanddwyn Porth Dafarch Tenby North Beach Hengistbury Head Beach Traeth Porthor Traeth Abermaw Beach Weymouth Beach Summerleaze Beach Brancaster Beach Old Hunstanton Beach
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Bryan Norcross: Atlantic tropical disturbance Invest 94L showing some signs of life
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Updated at 9 a.m. ET Monday, July 21, 2025 The disturbance we've been following in the tropical Atlantic has perked up a little. The National Hurricane Center has tagged it Invest 94L. They still have its odds of developing into at least a tropical depression in the low category, but they've increased them slightly. The atmospheric conditions immediately ahead are reasonably conducive to tropical development. They would be very conducive if there wasn't so much dry air nearby. Saharan dust blankets the ocean just north of and around the disturbance. The system's best chance of developing is tonight. By late tomorrow, as the disturbance is approaching the Caribbean, the upper-level winds will increase, and no further development is expected. Most likely, the system will move across the islands as a gusty moisture surge late tomorrow or Wednesday. In the meantime, however, it could organize enough to be designated a tropical depression, with a very slight chance that it briefly becomes Tropical Storm Dexter. Invest 94L is the first in a series of robust disturbances moving off Africa. Saharan dust plumes are still thick, but gaps are allowing some thunderstorms to develop within the clusters of moisture. On average, Saharan dust begins to wane late in July, although its schedule varies year to year. Some long-range computer forecasts indicate that the next systems in the wave train moving across the Atlantic will be a little more robust than we have seen. This is expected, of course, with August right around the corner. Just like the week before last, a front is going to die out across North Florida in a few days. A low-pressure area is forecast to develop along the old front and track west across the northern Gulf. There is no sign of tropical development at this point, but we'll keep an eye on it. In any case, it will bring another round of heavy rain to the Gulf Coast and the Florida Peninsula. On average, this part of July is slow in the tropics, so nothing unusual is going on. The traditional start of the busy part of the hurricane season is Aug. 20. There's no reason to think that this season isn't going to ramp up on schedule. Original article source: Bryan Norcross: Atlantic tropical disturbance Invest 94L showing some signs of life
Fox News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Sarah Michelle Gellar sizzles in swimsuit during tropical getaway
Sarah Michelle Gellar is turning up the heat this summer. The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" icon dropped a sizzling series of swimsuit photos that had her 4.8 million followers doing a double-take. "Tropic like it's hot," Gellar wrote in her Instagram caption with a fire emoji. "I'm Sarah and I am an aquaholic." The 48-year-old actress made waves on social media as she flaunted her beach body and fit physique on a tropical getaway. From crystal-blue waters to soaking up the sun, Gellar showed off her holiday in paradise. In her first photo, the "Dexter: Original Sin" star posed poolside in a sleek black one-piece and rocked black sunglasses while her toned legs were on display. She was seen on a catamaran in a floral sundress in her next photo, and also posted a video of her jumping off a boat into the ocean. She continued to keep cool in the glistening waters and took a selfie poolside. The actress appeared to be in complete bliss on her sun-soaked vacation as the last photo in her carousel showed her posing with her hands up and her back towards the camera. Gellar's fans flooded her comments section to praise her post. "Buffy level puns in the caption," one comment read. Another fan referred to her famous role in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," writing, "Rewatching Buffy for the millionth time right now. Buffy deserves this vacation." "You're hotter than tropic. Sunshine Queen," an Instagram user wrote. Gellar is married to fellow actor Freddie Prinze Jr. The couple first met when filming the movie "I Know What You Did Last Summer" in 1997, but they didn't start dating until three years later, in 2000. After just two years of dating, the couple tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony in Mexico in 2002, later welcoming two children -- Charlotte and Rocky.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Bananas for banana: the surprising new trend in perfume
When the sun's out, we tend to lean towards citrusy scents that enliven, invigorate, and immediately transport us to the coastline – think juicy bergamot, neroli, lemon and fig. But not this year, not summer 2025 when there's an unusual tropical fruit that's trending: banana. Yes, the fruit most of you probably have in your kitchen right now could well be popping up in your perfume. Searches across Google and TikTok for banana fragrances are up by 46.8 per cent compared to last year and the hashtag #bananaperfume has racked up over 6.6 million views. Gourmands, as a fragrance category, have also gained traction over the past 12 months. Vanilla has been leading the charge but caramel, coconut, cherry, rum and chocolate are becoming more customary aromas with audiences of every age, and now banana is being cited as the new 'it' note. 'We're all craving a playful olfactory twist,' explains Jun Lim, founder of perfume brand BornToStandOut. 'And that's where banana delivers. Its creamy, quirky sweetness hits the spot, and what used to feel like a joke, now feels fresh.' According to perfumers, banana is incredibly versatile as a note and blends well with other fragrance families – from florals and spices to musks and amber, to other gourmand flavours, be it tropical fruits like pineapple and guava or sweet treats like honey and vanilla. Of course, you can't distil a banana as you would a flower or other fruits to create absolutes and essential oils, so the scent is made up of synthetic molecules, which gives perfumers even more freedom to get creative. It's also why not all banana fragrances smell like a Knickerbocker Glory and can be surprisingly grown-up, wearable and modern. Offering escapism, nostalgia and originality, banana perfumes are perfect if you like your fragrance wardrobe on the quirkier side. Plus, what a great talking point if someone asks you what scent you're wearing. Will we still be going bonkers over bananas come winter? Who knows. Romy Kowalewski, founder of Barcelona-based perfume house 27 87, thinks this is just the beginning: 'We're at the early exploration of what this note can become and banana is ushering in what feels like a new chapter for tropical scents. Think of how pistachio went from niche fascination to mainstream darling. I believe banana is on a similar trajectory and is an evolving note with elegance and edge.' Interested to see which scents we're going bananas for? These are the ones that have real 'a-peel':
